Process for removing natural enamel from the surface of ratan, &amp;c.



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. AXEL rnANoK-PHILIrsoN, or CHICAGO, ILLINcIs;

PROCESS FOR REMOVING NATURAL'ENAMEL FROM THE SURFACE OF RATAN, 856.

No Drawing. Application filed May 31, 1916, Serial No. 100,923. Renewed To all whom it may concern:

Be it knownthat I, AXEL FRANCE-PHILIP- SON, subject of the King of Denmark, residin at Chicago, in the county of Cook and btate of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Processes for Removing Natural Enamel from the Surface of Ratan, Bamboo, and the like; and I do herebydeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. 7 p

This invention has for its object to provide a novel process for removing the natural gloss, enamel or shell coating from bamboo or ratan, and consists in the several steps hereinafter fully described and claimed.

Heretofore, as far as I am informed, this gloss, enamel or shell has been mechanically removed from the ratan or bamboo at considerable expense, and that all attempts to chemically remove the same have proved V unavailing.

The object of my present invention is, therefore, to provide a process for chemically removing this gloss from ratan at a cost less thanthe mechanical removal thereof, and in such a manner as not to in-- jure the fiber of the ratan subjected to the,

process, and so that it will lend itself readily to bleaching by the process described in Letters Patent No. 1,068,580 granted to me or by any other suit-ed to the purpose.

My said invention consists broadly in subjecting the ratan to the action of a solvent for the said gloss or shell, and I have found that this can be accomplished in several ways. 7 y

In its preferred form my said method consists in subjecting the ratan to the action of a relatively strong solution of alkaline hydrate, preferably caustic soda. A satisfactory solution well adapted for the purpose consists of one hundred pounds, more or less, of caustic soda, and twelve hundred gallons, more 'or less, of water.

Preferably the treatment consists in immersing the ratan in this solution in the presence of heat for a period of one-half an hour to two hours, more or less, the length of time varying with the strength of the solution, and the temperature of the latter. I have found that if the solution is main- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 4, 1919. January 25, 1919. Serial No.

tained at the boiling point it will remove the gloss from theratan or reed in the shortest time, the duration depending upon the particular kind of ratan treated. I

While the foregoing solution effectually removes the gloss'or natural enamel from the ratan I have found that it, has the efi'ect of roughening the surface somewhat and that better results are obtained by adding to the bath aforesaid, five gallons, more or less,

silicate of soda, the result being that the ratan is left smoother and in better condition than if the said silicate of soda is omitted.

Other alkaline hydrates may be substituted, as for example, potassium hydrate, calcium hydrate, and the like, the sodium hydrate being, however, preferable and giving the most satisfactory results. I

As the ratan leaves the solution it will be found to be black, or of a very dark color, but this is merely on the surface and may be removed by subjecting the ratan to the action of any suitable bleaching process, such for example as is described in Letters Patent No. 1,068,580 granted to me on August 12, 1913, being preferable. The usual chlorinated lime or chlorin gas bleaching process may also be used, but this is apt to deleteriously affect the fiber of the ratan.

I have found that ratan grown in different localities differs quite materially in the 7 character of the surface. gloss or enamel which it is desired to remove preparatory to using such ratan in the manufacture of furniture and the like. I have found, for-example, that ratan grown in. one locality has a comparatively thin shell coating of silicate; whereas in other localities this coating is very much thicker, and in all instances it is probable that the silicate is mixed more or less with a resinous sap. The differences in the various qualities afl'ect'the time required for the removal of this enamel or gloss so that the process must be varied as to its duration in accordance with the particular character of the ratan treated.

I claim as my invention:

1. The hereindescribed process for removing the natural enamel from the surface of ratan and the like which consists in subjecthydrate solution containing silicate of soda.

2. The hereindescribed process for removing the natural enamel from the surface of ing said material to the action of an alkaline V ratan and the like which consists in subjecting said material to the action of a hot alkaline hydrate solution containing silicate" of soda. V

3; The hereindescribed process for i-emov ing. the natural enamel from the surface of ratan and the like which consists in subject ing' said material to the action of a boiling lin'e hydrate solution containing silicate of soda for a period varying from one-half hour to two hours, moreor less.

5. The hereinde's'cribed process for removing the natural enamel from the surface of Copies of this patent may be obtained for ratan and the like which consists in subjecting said material to the action of a hot alkaline hydrate solution containing silicate of,

soda for a period Varying from one-half hour to tWo hours, more or less.

6. The hereindescribed process for removing the natural enamel from the surface of ratan and the like which consists in. subjecting said material to the action of a boiling alkaline hydrate solution containing silicate of soda for a period varying from one-half hour to two hours, more orless.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name in presence of tWo subscribing Witnesses. v V

AXEL FRANOK-PHILIPSON. Witnesses-z V M. M. BOYLE, G. M. WALKER, Jr.

five cents each; byaddre'ssing the Commissioner of Patents, "Washington; 110. r Y a 

